MM’s house: ‘When I’m dead, demolish it’

Now, the question is: Will the house at 38, Oxley Road survive its famous owner, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew?

Broaching the subject was Mr Lee himself, during an interview with a team of Straits Times journalists for the book, Hard Truths, to be launched today.

When the conversation veered to his home, which he has described as ‘a big, rambling house with five bedrooms, and three others at the back originally used as servants’ quarters’, he said: ‘I’ve told the Cabinet, when I’m dead, demolish it.’

His reason?

‘I’ve seen other houses, Nehru’s, Shakespeare’s. They become a shambles after a while. People trudge through. Because of my house the neighbouring houses cannot build high. Now demolish my house and change the planning rules, go up, the land value will go up,’ he said. …

Due to security concerns, he and his family moved to the Istana for a few weeks after Singapore became independent in 1965. Aside from that period, he has lived throughout in Oxley Road and still lives there today. …

‘I don’t think my daughter or my wife or I, who lived in it, or my sons who grew up in it, will bemoan its loss. They have old photos to remind them of the past,’ he said.

A true Philosopher and Master Builder ! Hindus wish to get cremated after their death for two apparent reasons: (1) in due course, it will get ignored, and (2) the landspace should not be wasted: the burial ground cannot be used for agriculture, nor for burying a new corpse. Thus, great people think far beyond the immediate future. Dr. V.M.Palaniappan, Kuala Lumpur.

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